A few things we do well
DISCRIMINATION AND RETALIATION
Both federal and state laws prohibit employers from unlawfully discriminating and retaliating against their employees. These laws prohibit employers from using an employee’s gender, race, national origin, color, religion, age, veteran status, and disability to hire, retain, promote, demote, or terminate an employee. They also outlaw retaliation against an employee for taking sick leave pursuant to the Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), for taking advantage of an employer’s benefit plans, or for complaining about discrimination.
ACADEMIC MATTERS
Our firm advises faculty and staff at academic institutions as they navigate contentious employment issues. We represent academics who are unfairly denied tenure, and those whose contracts are inappropriately cut short or not renewed. We also advise faculty governance bodies who are in the process of faculty handbook revisions. KGL can draft your tenure denial appeal, represent you during a grievance Hearing, or litigate an unfair employment practice. KGL also represents college students, graduate students, and medical residents who are at risk of being unfairly dismissed, disciplined, or terminated, or who need reasonable accommodations for disabilities or religious beliefs.
SEVERANCE AND SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS
Litigation is at times inevitable. To the extent it can be avoided, the attorneys at KGL will provide information which will help you decide whether litigation is the best choice. The first step in retaining us to help you negotiate a settlement is a 1-hour consultation with one of our attorneys. During this meeting, we will evaluate whether you have potential legal claims, assess the strengths of such claims, and advise you on your legal options. We also frequently review and renegotiate severance agreements that have already been offered to our clients.
PHYSICIAN CONTRACTS
A physician contract involves nuanced issues and considerations a general employment attorney may not readily identify. KGL regularly drafts, reviews, and negotiates physician employment and independent contractor agreements as well as other contracts seen in the healthcare industry. Because KGL is often consulted on the back-end when healthcare professionals have issues when they leave their employment, KGL has an eye for the types of issues that frequently arise between physicians and the practices, hospitals, or groups for which they work.
APPEALS
Whether it’s a Seventh Circuit appeal of a district court dismissal of a sexual discrimination case, an unemployment benefits appeal, or an internal appeal on a student disciplinary matter, the attorneys at KGL are strong, thorough appellate litigators who will make sure your appeal is focused, well-drafted, and well-argued.